Wire line stripping apparatus



Aug- 1963 E. c. SAUNDERS 3,100,646

WIRE LINE STRIPPING APPARATUS Filed June 23, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v /98 30 6! I28 V 96 [award 6. 5mm a/ers,

IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent Gffice 3 ,100,646 Patented Aug. 13, 1963 3,100,646 WIRE LINE STRIPPING APPARATUS Edward C. Saunders, 8229 S. California, Whittier, Calif. Filed June 23, 1960, Ser. No. 38,184 4 Claims. (Cl. 277-27) This invention relates generally to well drilling equipment or apparatus, and relates more particularly to Wire line stripping and oil saver apparatus.

While the invention has particular utility in connection with oil well drilling equipment, and is herein shown and described in connection therewith, it is to be understood that its utility is not confined thereto.

The problem of providing suitable wire line stripping equipment involves certain difficulties and it is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus which will overcome these diiiiculties and solve said problem.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character which will give complete top hole safety and protection against rblowouts.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character which gives maximum wiping, so as to wipe the wire line clean.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character that will provide the best wiping properties with the least amount of pressure or drag on the line.

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character wherein wear of the rubber packing unit or units is reduced to a minimum.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character which can be operated with the tools readily available at the rig.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character wherein all Wear parts are easily accessible and easily replaced.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character having a simple and effective pressure release means, including a pressure release valve.

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character wherein the pressure release valve is well protected.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character having automatic release means.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character that is relatively simple in construction.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character that is durable and dependable in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character that is relatively inexpensive to maintain.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are further sufficiently referred to in connection with the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings, which represent one embodiment. After considering this example, skilled persons will understand that variations may he made without departing from the principals disclosed and I contemplate the employment of any structures, arrangements, or modes of operation that are proponly within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:

FIG. 1 is a side view of apparatus embodying the present invention installed for use;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken :on line 22 of FIG. 1, the locking mechanism being shown in the locked position;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the locking mechanism showing same in the unlocked position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the piston for compressing rubber seals; and

FIG. .8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 4.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the line stripping means includes a body, indicated generally at 10, said body being tubular and provided with a passage therethrough. The upper end of the body is counterbored and the counterbored portion is provided with internal threads 12 and at the inner end of the counteribore there is a shoulder 14.

The opposite end of the body 10 is provided with an externally threaded pin 16.

The upper portion 18 of the body 10 provides a cylinder, the lower portion 20 of said passage through the body It? is of reduced diameter and there is a shoulder 22 at the inner end of the cylinder portion 18.

A tubular piston, indicated generally at 24, is operably disposed within the passage in the body portion 10, said piston including a lower portion 26 normally disposed primarily within the passage portion 20. At the upper end of the piston 24 there is anoutwardly extending annular flange 28 slidably disposed within the passage portion or cylinder 18. The flange 28 is provided with an external annular groove 39 in which is disposed a suitable sealing element 32 which may be an G-ring or the like. Groove 30 is large enough to receive a piston ring 34 therein, which is disposed at the upper end of said groove. The sealing element 32 and ring 34 provide a seal between the flange 28 of piston 24 and the internal wall of the portion 18 of the body 10.

Thelower part 20 of the passage through the body 10 is provided, adjacent its upper end, with an internal annular recess 36 in which is disposed a sealing element 38 of any suitable type, such as an O-ring or the like, and a piston or sealing ring 40, the latter being disposed below the sealing element 38. This sealing arrangement provides a seal between the wall of the portion 20 and the exterior of the lower portion 26 of the piston 24. Portion 20 of the body passage also is provided with an internal annular groove 42 a short distance below the recess 36 and from said groove 42 there is an internal downwardly spiraled groove 44 in the inner wall of the body passage portion 20. Also, there is a groove 46 extending longitudinally from the groove 42 to the lower end, as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 4, of the body 10.

Body 16 is provided with an internally threaded bore 50, which extends from the outer surface inwardly a limited distance for reception of an externally threaded valve member 52. From the bore 59 there extends inwardly a small passage 54, which communicates with the lower end of the cylindrical portion 13 at the shoulder 22, a portion of the passage 54 extending inwardly of the shoulder 22 and below the free surface thereof, so as to communicate upwardly into the lower end of the portion 18 of the body passage.

Valve member 52 is provided within an internally threaded bore 56, which extends inwardly a limited dis tance from the outer end thereof, there being a passage 58 extending from the inner end of the bore 56 to the inner end of the valve member52 where it communicates with the passage 54. There is a fixture 60 screwed into the bore 56, said fixture being for connection with a grease gun G of well known type, there being a check valve 61 in said fixture, so that grease or the like may be forced through the fixture into the passage 58, thence through passage 54 and into the lower end of the cylinder 18 to thereby force the piston 24 upwardly by exertion of pressure on the lower end 64 of the flange 28 of piston 68 which are spaced apart and which extend tangentially in the same direction from the body as the valve member 52. Arms 68 are spaced apart and provide guard means which protect the valve member 52 from inadvertent blows which might damage same. The spacing of the arms 68 from each other and from the valve is such that the wings 66 will not strike said arms when the valve member 52 is rotated in opening or closing directions. A stop screw 70 is screwed into a tapped bore 72, provided therefor in the body and the head 74 of said screw extends outwardly from the adjacent portion of the body to be in the path of the ears 66 and thereby provide stop means limiting rotation of the valve body 52. When the valve body is screwed fully inwardly into the bore 50 the inner end 76 of said valve member 52 engages a valve seat 78 at the inner end of said bore 50 and when the valve member is in this position grease may be forced into the cylinder 18 for forcing the piston 24 upwardly therein, as described hereinabove.

Relief of the pressure on the piston flange 28 is eitected by screwing the valve member 52 outwardly so as to eflect unseating of same, whereupon grease will flow from the space between the shoulder 64 of the piston and the shoulder 22 of the body, through the passage 54, into the inner end of the bore 50 and thence into the internal groove 42 by way of a connecting relief passage 80. The grease thus relieved will also flow downwardly through the spiral groove 44 where it will'mix with the fluid within the device or apparatus.

An alternative arrangement for supplying fluid pressure for actuation of the piston 24 is provided and comprises a passage 82 in a boss 84 positioned in peripherally spaced relation to the valve 52. Passage 82 connects with the lower end of the cylinder 18 in substantially the same manner as the passage 54 connects with said cylinder and at the outer end of said passage 82 thre is an enlarged tapped bore 86 which is normally closed by a plug 88. However, when it is desired to use pressure from a source different from a grease gu-n attached to the nipple of the fixture 60, the valve 52 is closed and the plug 88 removed, so that a suitable conduit, not shown, from a suitable source of pressure, also not shown, may be screwed into said bore 86. The pressure from said source is then applied to force the piston upwardly. Relief of the pressure on the piston 24 is effected by cutting ofl the pressure from said source and opening the valve 52.

Above the body 10 there is provided a tap cap, indicated generally at 90, which is provided with an internal bore 92 of substantially the same diameter as the cylindrical portion 18 of the passage through body 10'. A

lower end portion of the cap 90 is provided with threads 94 received in the box 12 and the lower end of said cap engages the shoulder 14 for limiting inward screwing of said cap. At the upper end of the cap 90 there is an end wall 96 having a shoulder 98 at the lower end thereof which extends inwardly of the plane of the bore 92, wall 96 having an internally threaded bore 100 of smaller diameter than the bore 92 for reception of a wear bushing 102 which is formed of two corresponding parts 102a and 10212. When the parts 102a and 10211 are assembled with their diametrically flat sides together they form a complete bushing which is screwed into the internally threaded bore 100, as best shown in FIG. 2, and there is an axial opening 104 through said bushing. The purpose of the split bushing is to provide a bushing that may be easily and quickly installed or removed, even with a line extending through the mechanism.

The bore 92 of the cap 90 and the cylindrical portions 18 of the passage through the body 10' provides a chamber for the sealing elements, indicated generally at 110, there being a'pair of such sealing elements, one above the other. Each of the sealing elements is formed of two similar parts. Each part is semi-cylindrical in shape and when the two parts are assembled with their flat diametnical sides together they define a cylindrical seal having an axial passage 112 theretltnough for reception of a line of well known type.

Each half of a seal 110 comprises a body 114 of rubber tit-suitable well known character. Such rubber may be neoprene or some other material resistant to theactions of fluids or the like, with which such rubber comes in contact. At each end of each half of the seal there is a metal cap or insert 116 secured to the rubber portion by any suitable means. The cap may be, for example, bonded to the adjacent ends of the rubber portion 114 by any well known bonding means. These caps may be die cast of zinc or other suitable material or may be otherwise formed. The outer surfaces of each cap are formed with suitable raised portions I118 which may be in the form of patterns, the purpose of this arrangement being to permit a flow of liquid or fluid from the axial passage 112 of the assembled seal to the outer surface thereof.

While the device may have but one sealing means 110, the arrangement shown herein, FIG. 2, has two such seals, one on top 'of the other. The bottom cap 116 of the lower seal means 110 rests on the upper surface of the piston 24 and the bottom cap of the upper sealing means 110 rests on the upper cap of the lower sealing means. The upper cap of the upper sealing means engages the shoulder 9810f the cap or cover 90.

The pin 16 of the body 10is screwed into an internally threaded box 120 of a ball retainer body 112. The ball retainer body has a depending sleeve 124 slidably recei able in the passage 126 of a tubular well adapter 128. The lower end of the well adapter is provided with an externally threaded pin 130 removably screwed into an internally threaded end portion 132 of a well casing, or the like, 134.

The ball retainer body has a large diameter passage portion 136 in the upper portion thereof and reduced diameter portion 138 in the lower portion thereof, there being an intermediate portion 140 which extends downwardly and inwardly from the large passage portion 166 to the reduced diameter portion 138 and which serves as a valve means, which it will hereinafter be called in this application.

The sleeve 124 of the ball retainer body is provided with a plurality of annularly spaced radial openings 142 in which respective balls 144 are disposed. Any suitable number of such openings and balls may be provided, there being six disclosed herein. The inner ends of the openings 142 are swerved inwardly, as at 146, to limit inward movement of said balls which may be inserted into said openings from the outer ends thereof.

Above the openings 142 the sleeve 124 is provided with external annular groove 148 in which is disposed a sealing element 150 ofany suitable and well known character. As shown, the sealing element 150 is an O-ring and provides a seal between the sleeve 124 and the walls of the passage 126 in the Well adapter.

The well adapter is provided with an internal annular groove 152 into which a portion of the respective balls 144 are received when the ball retainer body is locked in the well adapter. It is to be noted that the ball retainer body has a downwardly and inwardly tapered annular part 154 adapted to seat on a corresponding part 156 at the upper end of the well adapter.

There is means for actuating the balls 144 to'the locking position, whereat the outer portions are snugly [received in the groove 152. This means comprises a split plunger, indicated similar parts. The parts of the split plunger 160 are generally semicircular in cross section and have diametrigenerally at 160, and comprises two cally flat sides which are placed together to form the complete assembly of said plunger. When the plunger parts are assembled each has one-half of a body portion 162, there being an annular flange 1'64 adapted to normally seat on the seat 140 of the ball retainer body. The body portion of the plunger has a passage 166 therethrough for reception of the line, there being radial openings 168 which extend outwardly from the passage 166.

Body 162 is of somewhat smaller diameter than the passage *138 in the sleeve 124, but is provided with an annular cam 170 which has a lower carn surface 172 adapted to engage the walls 144 when the plunger 160 is moved downwardly in the passage 138 and force said bails outwardly into the groove 152 to thereby lock the ball retainer body in the well adapter.

Plunger 160 includes a depending stem portion 174 which has an annular flange 176 adjacent the lower end thereof to provide means for attachment of a plunger bumper cap, indicated generally at 180.

The plunger bumper cap has a central opening for reception of the stem 174 and is provided with an internal annular groove 182 for reception of the flange 176. The bumper cap has a generally semi-circular relieved portion for reception of a generally semi-circular locking part 186. When the part 186 is removed one part of the split plunger may be inserted into the opening through the bumper cap and the flange 176 thereof may be rotated into the groove 182 of the unexposed portion of the groove. The other part of the plunger may then be inserted into the opening in the bumper cap with its part of the flange 176 disposed in the exposed part of said groove. The plunger then may be rotated sufficiently to lock the flange portions 176in the groove 182. Thereafter the locking member 186 is placed in position and secured therein by means of screws 190 which are slidably received in openings 192 provided therefor in the locking member 186 and screwed into tapped openings 194 provided therefor in the adjacent portion of the bumper cap.

The plunger 16! is urged downwardly to the locking position by means of a spring 196 disposed in the passage portion 136 of the ball retainer body. The lower end of the spring is disposed about a spring retainer portion 198 of the flange 164 while the upper end of said spring is disposed on a spring retainer 200 which normally abuts against the lower end of the pin 16 of the body '10. The spring retainer 200 is of resilient material, such as a synthetic rubber or the like, which is impervious to the action of fluids which come into contact therewith. The spring retainer is also provided with a relatively large axial opening 26?. therein through which the line may pass.

When a line is being used in the well the above described parts are assembled and positioned on the upper end of the casing 134. By having the various parts, such as the plunger 16!], the seals 110, and the housing 102, split into a plurality of parts, assembly of the apparatus is facilitated, as the split parts may be easily placed about the line. When the apparatus is thus assembled the line extends through the passage 166 of the plunger, through the interior of the coil spring 196, through opening 202 in the spring retainer 200', through the piston 24, openings 112 of the sealing elements 110, and through the opening 104 of the bushing.

When it is desired to strip the line a grease gun G, or the like, is attached to the nipple 60a of the fixture 60 and, with the valve 52 in the closed position, the grease is pumped into the cylinder 18 beneath the flange 28 of the piston. The piston is then forced upwardly and the sealing elements 110 squeezed longitudinally so as to compress the rubber portions 114 and reduce the diameters of the openings 112 therethrough as well as to sealingly engage the walls of the passages 18 and 9th The rubber then engages the line and strips same of fluid when the line is moved upwardly through said sealing elements. The fluid that is stripped from the line by the lower seal 110 flows back into the interior of the piston 26 where: it mixes with any other'fluid that may be present in the piston. Fluid stripped by the upper sealing element will flow outwardly in the spaces 208 between the raised portions 116 in the caps at the lower end of the upper sealing element and the upper end of the lower sealing element and this stripped fluid will flow outwardly of the cap through opening 210 in the cap 90 which are so positioned as to receive such fluid where it can flow outwardly of the apparatus. V

Release of the stripping mechanism is effected by the upper travel of the line socket, or the like, which engages the lower end of the stem 174 and moves the plunger upwardly to thereby permit the balls 144 to move inwardly until they are fully disposed within said openings and will clear the groove 152. At the same time the flange 164 will engage the lower end of the spring retainer 200 in the ball retainer body.- The spring retainer 200, being of resilient material, serving as a shock absorbing bumper when engaged by the flange 164, thus said spring retainer performs the double function of retaining the upper end oi the spring in position and as a shock absorber or bumper. The locking mechanism and line stripping mechanism attached to the upper end of the ball retainer body will be carried along with the line as it is moved upwardly.

As pointed out above, release of the pressure beneath the flange 28 of the piston '24 is effected by turning the valve member 52 off its seat and permitting the grease or other fluid beneath the flange 28 to pass into the passage portion 20 of the body 10 by way of the passage 86 and groove 46, as well as the groove 44;.

The invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and

it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof'or sacrificing its material advantages, the embodiment hereinbefore described being merely by way of illustration.

I claim:

1. Line stripping apparatus, comprising: housing means having a passage therethrough, an upper portion of said passage being cylindrical; a tubular piston operably disposed in the cylindrical portion of said passage; upper and lower resilient cylindrical sealing means in said upper portion of the housing, each sealing means comprising a pair of semi-cylindrical sealing elements which, when assembled, have an axial opening from top to bottom thereof, said opening being round in cross section; a cap for each end of each portion of each sealing element, said caps being provided externally with raised portions, said raised portions of adjacent caps abutting to provide flow passages between said caps from the ax al openings to the outer sides of said sealing means; internal shoulder means the upper end of the housing passage against which the upper caps of the upper sealing elements abut, said housing means having axial openings in the side walls thereof communicating with the spaces between the adjacent abutting ends of the sealing elements; means, including a pressure fluid passage, for applying pressure fluid to said piston; and a valve having a valve member movable between a closed position and an open position and extending outwardly of said body; said valve members having a passage therein communicating with said pressure fluid passage, said valve member having a fixture with a checkvalve therein and means for connection with a fluid pressure producing device, pressure fluid applied to said fixture when. the valve member is in the closed position, providing actuating pressure for forcing said piston against one end of one of said sealing means to longitudinally compress the resilient elements of said sealing means and reduce the diameter of the axial openings therethro-ugh for stripping engagement with a line extending through said openings; said housing having a pressure release passage extending from said valve into the passage in said housing whereby pressure fluid acting on said piston is rel-eased into the 7 pressure release passage in said housing and into the housing passage when said valve is in the open position. 2. In line stripping apparatus: housing means having a passage therethrongh, an upper portion of said passage being cylindrical; a tubular piston operably disposed in-the cylindrical portion of said passage; upper and lower re-v silient cylindrical sealing means in said upper portion of (the housing, each sealing means comprising a pair of sea'1 ing elements semi-cylindrical in shape, each sealing means having an axial opening from top to bottom thereof round in cross section; caps on the ends of said sealing elements, said caps beingiormed to provide fluid flow passages at the abutting ends of sealing elements for fluid flow between said elements from the axial openings to [the outer sides thereof; internal shoulder means at the upper end of the housing passage against which the upper caps of the upper sealing means abuts, said housing means having fluid escape openings in the side walls thereof at the abutting ends of the sealing means; means for applying pressure fluid to said piston; and a valve having open and closed positions included in said fluid pressure applying means, pressure being transmitted to said piston when said valve is in closed position; fixture means having a check-valve, connected with said valve and adapted to have fluid pressure producing means connected thereto, pressure fluid applied to said piston forcing said piston against one end of one of said sealing means to longitudinally compress both said sealing means and reduce the diameter of the axial openings therethroughior stripping engagement with a line extending through said openings and for engagement with the adjacent walls of said housing, pressure fluid acting on said piston being released when said valve is opened. 1

3. In line stripping apparatus: housing means having a passage therethrough, a portion of said passage being cylindrical; a resilient sealing element in said passage having an axial opening from top to bottom thereof; means for compressing said sealing element includinga piston in the cylindrical portion of said passage and engaging one end of said sealing element; a manual valve with a passage therethrough connected with said cylindrical portion of the passage and having an open position and a closed position; actuating means for said valve; a check valve in the passage of said manual valve, said check valve per-mitting pressure fluid to pass into said cylindrical portion of said passage for applying pressure to piston and actuate same for compressing said sealing element and reduce the diameter of the longitudinal opening therethrough for stripping engagement with a line extending through said opening but'preventing fluid flow in the opposite direction, said manual valve when in the closed position holding presure fluid against outflow through said manual valve and when in the open position releasing the fluid pressure on said piston.

4. The invention defined by claim 3 wherein the actuating means for said manual valve projects outwardly from the housing and there is means extending outwardly of said housing and protecting said actuating means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,641,921 Crowell Sept. 6, 1927 1,845,683 Saunders Feb. 16, 1932 1,866,903 Patterson July 12, 1932 2,440,015 Meddick Apr. 20, 1948 2,529,744 Schweitzer Nov. 14, 1950 2,748,870 Basham et ial. June 4, 1956 2,760,750 Schweitzer et al. Aug. 28, 1956 2,846,178- Minor Aug. 5, 1958 3,032,112 Webster May 1, 1962 

2. IN LINE STRIPPING APPARATUS: HOUSING MEANS HAVING A PASSAGE THERETHROUGH, AN UPPER PORTION OF SAID PASSAGE BEING CYLINDRICAL; A TUBULAR PISTON OPERABLY DISPOSED IN THE CYLINDRICAL PORTION OF SAID PASSAGE; UPPER AND LOWER RESILIENT CYLINDRICAL SEALING MEANS IN SAID UPPER PORTION OF THE HOUSING, EACH SEALING MEANS COMPRISING A PAIR OF SEALING ELEMENTS SEMI-CYLINDRICAL IN SHAPE, EACH SEALING MEANS HAVING AN AXIAL OPENING FROM TOP TO BOTTOM THEREOF ROUND IN CROSS SECTION; CAPS ON THE ENDS OF SAID SEALING ELEMENTS, SAID CAPS BEING FORMED TO PROVIDE FLUID FLOW PASSAGES AT THE ABUTTING ENDS OF SEALING ELEMENTS FOR FLUID FLOW BETWEEN SAID ELEMENTS FROM THE AXIAL OPENINGS TO THE OUTER SIDES THEREOF; INTERNAL SHOULDER MEANS AT THE UPPER END OF THE HOUSING PASSAGE AGAINST WHICH THE UPPER CAPS OF THE UPPER SEALING MEANS ABUTS, SAID HOUSING MEANS HAVING FLUID ESCAPE OPENINGS IN THE SIDE WALLS THEREOF AT THE ABUTTING ENDS OF THE SEALING MEANS; MEANS FOR APPLYING PRESSURE FLUID TO SAID PISTON; AND A VALVE HAVING OPEN AND CLOSED 